A Laois bog restoration group that have won awards for their groundbreaking work welcomed international volunteers recently to give a helping hand. Abbeyleix Bog Project hosted an international volunteer week in early September, attracting environment enthusiasts from Belgium, the UK, Ukraine, Finland and of course local volunteers.
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The initiative was planned for 2019 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic until 2023.
Volunteering is a core aspect of the Abbeyleix Bog Project's mission, making it a natural fit to collaborate with Wannes Victoor @Bouworder, who played a coordinating role in setting up trip from Belgium. This collaboration was mutually beneficial, as it allowed the Abbeyleix Bog Project to accomplish a substantial amount of work that complemented the efforts of their local volunteers.
It also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge with like-minded Europeans who share a strong environmental awareness.
For Tariq El Jilali from Antwerp, it was an enjoyable week.
“It was a joy meeting all the dedicated people that are willing to put so much love and effort into the Abbeyleix bog. The experience I had enriched me just as the team there are enriching the local biodiversity,” he said.
Hosting an international group of volunteers presented its own set of challenges, but with the support of the local community in Abbeyleix, a plan was quickly developed. For Fiona Dunne of ABP, it was more than just a week of volunteer work.
“We put together a program of social and cultural activities for the volunteers, including guided tours, sports, and cultural experiences and made it a welcoming experience for our visitors,” she said.
One of the initial challenges was finding suitable accommodation close to the bog, shops, and local amenities. However, once Ross from Preston House offered their support, this concern was resolved.
The week's activities were diverse and included a mix of social and cultural experiences. These activities ranged from guided walks through Abbeyleix Heritage town and bog to social gatherings, tour of Heywood Gardens, participation in local GAA, tennis and hockey clubs, and a Yoga session in Blackhill Woods retreat Centre.
A social evening in the Community Garden, hosted by Community Garden and Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, featured traditional music and delicious wood fire oven baked pizzas. The main highlight of week was a guided tour of Abbeyleix Estate with Tom de Vesci and Kitty Scully detailing its history and ongoing work.
The primary purpose of the Volunteer week was not forgotten amid all the cultural and social experiences. The volunteers worked on various projects related to the bog, including the construction of a Dipping Pond, mapping of a new outer Bog-bridge, maintenance of the Boardwalk and Bog Bridge, vegetation clearing, and controlling Rhododendron growth.
A workshop and discussion session took place at Preston House, where members of the Abbeyleix Bog Project's technical group, local guides, and volunteers shared their experiences with the visiting team. This exchange covered a range of topics, including Climate Action, Peatland Restoration, the Waterlands project (an EU-funded project for the restoration of wetland sites across Europe), Capacity Building, Community Engagement, and Funding.
Throughout the week, as work progressed and social interactions flourished, stories and discussions about the bog's history, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecological significance were shared among local and visiting volunteers. Activities such as butterfly and moth counts, bird spotting, wildlife observations, ecology discussions, weather station monitoring, visits to the petrifying spring, and scallop visits enriched the experience.
Garry Luttrell is a member of Abbeyleix Bog Project.
“It was a very successful week. The primary purpose was to engage in conservation work and improving amenities. With the large contribution from our international group, and continued support of local volunteers, we achieved our goal,” he said.
He said that the volunteers had made a positive impact on the Abbeyleix Bog Project, and it is hoped that they had also gained valuable insights and memories from their week in Laois.
The collaborative effort was co -funded by Heritage Council and Laois County Council Recognition Fund.
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